Opposition Parties Sign Georgian Charter
The opposition political parties which have agreed to sign the Georgian Charter – a roadmap initiated by President Zurabishvili for resolving the political crisis and advancing EU integration – have done so today, on June 3. Those who singed include opposition parties For Justice, Greens Party, Girchi-More Freedom and Droa, European Democrats, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, European Georgia, Republican Party, Ana Dolidze For People, Ahali, Lelo for Georgia, Citizens, Freedom-Zviad Gamsakhurdia’s Way, United National Movement, Law and Justice, National-Democratic Party, State for the People, and opposition MPs Khatia Dekanoidze, Nato Chkheidze, Armaz Akhvlediani, Rostom Chekheidze, Tamar Kordzaia, according to the Presidential Administration.
At today’s briefing, the opposition For Georgia party said it supports the reforms’ part outlined in the Charter. It announced however the decision not to sign the Charter, citing objections to the idea of a technical government and the proposed early elections in 2025, which, according to For Georgia MP Beka Liluashvili “leads to political and legal deadlock.”
Earlier Iago Khvichia, the leader of Girchi, refused to join the President’s initiative. Although he expressed his party’s readiness to take part in the discussions, he said: “Of course, this document will not have our signature.”
The Georgian Charter, announced by President Zurabishvili on May 26, calls on all signatory parties, if they receive a popular mandate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, to commit to fulfilling its objectives during the spring session and to schedule early elections for the fall of 2025 to create the environment for free and fair elections. The technical, non-partisan government will be proposed by the President.
UPDATE: During her address to the opposition who gathered at the Presidential palace, the President called for mobilization for the elections and noted that victory is the only way for the Georgian Charter to be implemented. She pledged to strictly watch the adherence to the Charter’s principles.
“Obviously, this mobilization primarily concerns the local community, but it also concerns the diaspora, which has always been very inactive. No one has encouraged them to be more actively involved in the elections, and this is understandable. When elections are about which political party you prefer, Georgians living abroad are less involved. Today something completely different is being decided including for them, the future of this country is being decided, and no matter how far away you are (and I know this very well) or how long you have been there, you are interested in the fate of your country and you are interested that your country does not fall into the hands of the occupier,” the President said.
Throughout her address, she lamented the ruling Georgian Dream party for adopting the controversial legislations, and using the “aggressive, anti-European and anti-Western rhetoric.” In this context, the President also reminded voters that the current Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze lied to people when he said last year that the foreign agents law would not be re-tabled. She noted that now there is a clear choice to be made between Europe and the occupying power.
The President, among other issues, praised the role of the youth protesters and spoke against hopelessness.
This article was updated on 04/06/2024 at 4:34 to reflect the President’s address.
